The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) (13 page)

HOLY HECK.

My jaw dropped and I gasped in horror as five massive creatures landed around us, shaking the earth beneath.

'OH MY GOD. They’re griffons!'

All coherent thoughts went out the window. My eyes felt like they’d pop out of my skull.

Griffons.

They were about the size of an elephant with immense feline bodies and each flash of lightning revealed more. Long tails lashing in agitation and massive wings folded at their sides. Sharp, inquisitive eagle heads surrounded by impressive manes. The five of them eyed us intently.

Desperation flooded my limbs and my knees turned to water as I struggled to stay on my feet.

Oh crap. What are we meant to do now?

I felt the others quiver beside me.

'Greetings, can we offer you assistance?'

I gaped stupidly at the griffon.

It could speak?

About to lose it completely, I realized I could make out a shape behind the griffon's head. A man slid down the creature’s forearm. The move was fluid, the griffon inclining its leg so he landed neatly on the ground.

Still frozen in our gathered fighting position, we tensed as he strode toward us. An imposing figure, he was tall and appeared to have dark hair. As he got closer I could make out body armor; high boots and a cloak that flared out from his shoulders.

Yikes, I must look hideous. Realizing exactly how covered in blood and muck I was, I made a quick attempt to neaten up. Keeping a firm grip on the handle of my sword, I hurriedly wiped at the blood on my face with my free hand.

Ouch, I winced; I could feel my tongue now. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see the others doing the same. After glancing at Kassie and Loi I realized our efforts were pointless. We looked like actors from a horror movie.

So much for first impressions.

The blond man leaned out to watch the reaction of the women as his leader approached them.

‘He wants you to join him,’
his griffon informed him.

‘Right,’
he thought back and swung his leg over the saddle then slipped down Tomiar’s forearm to the ground. The others moved forward with him to stand behind their leader, quietly observing the bloody and disheveled young women.

The sudden stop from our frantic fight for survival was mind spinning. Trying to get my brain back to a civilized state proved as successful as straightening my clothes had been. As we stood, still on guard, others slid down from the griffons. I didn’t want to take my eyes off those enormous creatures so made quick glances to see who approached.

Men—all men. My back stiffened.

What would any sane person be doing out on a night like this?

It must be nearly three or four in the morning. The rational voice in my head warned me to be on guard. We heard a whine and turned.

Audi was on her belly and crept toward us through the gap between two griffons. The griffon, which the first man had slipped down from, turned its head sharply, leaned over and sniffed at her. Audi froze and flattened against the ground, her eyes petrified. A whimper escaped my throat and the others seemed to lean toward her with me. The man laughed.

'Loushka won’t harm your dog,' he assured us. 'She is very fond of small animals.'

Loushka gave Audi a gentle nudge with her beak. The dog yelped in surprise then bolted for us, scooting between Sian and I. Everyone froze at the sudden and unexpected movement. Loushka cocked her head at us, peering for Audi and then made a chirruping noise.

The man smiled and stepped closer, barely an arms width away, then bowed.

'My name is Alek; I am the head of the Griffon Guard which protects these lands.'

He turned and indicated to the men and griffons.

'This is Daron and his griffon Nesha, Rumal and Kerak, Gredel and Phroma, and Sabyn with Tomiar.'

The men inclined their heads when their names were said, the griffons also.

Daron fought the urge to roll his shoulders; the tension in the air was strong and uncomfortable.

'Why are they so silent?’
wondered Nesha, as he studied the women who stared wide eyed at them.

‘I’m not sure.’
Daron thought back,
‘I think they’re a little battle stunned.’

Nesha frowned,
‘Surely this wasn’t their first battle? They’re efficient fighters.’
He flashed an image to Daron of the women fighting when they’d first spotted them.

‘Maybe they haven’t faced such a large group of gragnolls before,’
suggested Daron.
‘Or ever, Elena did say they might know little of this realm.’

There was an uncomfortable silence and I realized it was my turn. I swallowed hard, lowered my sword and forced a smile, inclining my head.

'Hi. Your timing is impeccable, it’s most appreciated. My name is Catherine; this is Laura, Kassandra, and Sian.'

The girls managed tight smiles.

'And this.' I stepped to the side, 'Is my dog Audrey.'

Audi wagged her tail at her name.

'And that,' I pointed upward, watching their eyes follow the gesture. 'Is Kassandra’s cat Lucky.'

Lucky meowed plaintively from the branches above. The silence happened again while they stared at us and the animals for a moment.

'Do you usually take your cat with you?' queried one of the men, Gredel I think. He had light hair and was a tall heavy-set man with an open face.

Kassie shook her head, 'No sir, but then we never expected to be in this situation.'

There was another silence as the men studied us. They seemed to be communicating though no one said a word.

More than a little creepy. I exchanged a concerned look with Kassie. What happens next?

Rumal watched the small woman or girl who’d just spoken. He’d assumed they were older when they first spotted them. They were very experienced fighters but the one that had spoken to Gredel, Kassandra, that was her name, seemed younger now he could see her.

‘What’s happening now?’
Kerak demanded, he was excited to be involved in all this.

‘Ask Loushka if we should set up camp.’
Rumal requested.

‘Loushka says Alek agrees.’

‘Thanks, Kerak.’

Loi shifted her weight to the other foot, the air was still tense though it seemed as though their rescuers meant no harm. Deciding to be direct about it, she spoke up

'How is it you come to be here? In the middle of a storm? In the middle of the night, no less?'

Alek hesitated at the blunt demand. He’d expected it but had hoped it might be when the sun was up and they were rested. The Sorceress Elena ordered the Griffon Guard to leap to this place only a couple of hours ago and their griffons were exhausted, though exhilarated, from the feat. They’d never leapt so far before, but Elena was adamant they got here before anything bad happened.

He stared at the one who’d spoken.

'We were told that some people were in need of help in this direction. Why don’t we discuss this more when the sun is up? I’m sure you could use a few hours sleep.'

Loi looked astonished at his answer.

I nodded, 'Fine.'

Turning my back on the men and griffons, I walked to where we’d stashed our bags. The others joined me and we began to dig. I heard footsteps and whirled around to find blue eyes rather close to mine, staring curiously.

'Urk!' I fell on my backside, startling Alek.

What? Hasn’t he heard of personal space?

'Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to surprise you,' Alek offered a hand to the red haired girl, drat what was her name? Oh Catherine, that was right.

Catherine stared at his hand a moment then took it. He nearly jerked back at the snap of electricity that passed between them, but kept his grip and pulled her to her feet. She came to shoulder height on him, she’d seemed taller from a distance.

'Sorry,' I grinned up at him. 'I have high body electricity when I’m hyped up.'

I watched in amusement as he mouthed the phrase “hyped up” then focused his brilliant blue gaze on me.

Ooooh pretty.

'Why are you digging?'

Alek stared at me and for some weird reason I couldn’t seem to get a grip on any words.

I could hear the rational voice in my head bellowing at me,
oh for goodness sake Cat, he’s going to think you’re a total moron.

Sabyn snorted in amusement at the sight of the redheaded girl gazing at Alek.

‘Looks like Alek’s charmed another,’
he thought to Tomiar.

‘Leave the poor girl alone,’
Tomiar admonished him.
‘She’s just exhausted that’s all.’

Sian turned back to see Cat gaze at Alek in a somewhat awed manner.

Ooh no, she thought and marched over, giving Cat a shake to snap her out of her reverie, then shot Alek a hard look

'You’ll have to forgive her; she’s useless with lack of sleep. We’re digging our packs out of the shelter we’d been sleeping in when those things attacked.'

She indicated to Loi who’d just retrieved a bag and tossed it over.

Packs. Attacked.
Right.

Nodding my head, I got a grip on myself and turned back to help. Alek walked back to the men and they spoke rapidly to one another in a foreign tongue. Our packs now retrieved, I rummaged through mine until I located the loaf of bread and tore it into chunks. I wasn’t about to use the daggers to cut until I’d boiled them. I grimaced in disgust at the muck that coated the once silvery blades.

I passed the bread along to the others and we slumped to the ground, leaning on each other. Exhausted, we chewed while watching the men set up the shelter.

Lucky crept down the trunk of the tree then flew across the site to Kassie, startling one of the men. Audi got up from Cat’s side to examine her friend and gently rolled her over, snuffling her to see that she was okay. The cat started to purr as the dog settled down to clean her.